RAM question (probably dumb)

[Mixot]

A friend at work has some PC2700 (512MB) 333Mhz memory. I have an EPOX EP-8KHA+ motherboard that takes either PC1600 or PC2100 memory. My question is, will the PC2700 work in the motherboard or not? Is it a different form factor, or just the wrong timings? I'm afraid I'm not very technical in this area so please no harsh remarks. 🙂 Thanks!

 

[ScrapSilicon]

usually..most are backwards compatible..ymmv tho..gl 🙂

 

[BlueWeasel]

The form factor of PC2100 and PC2700 is exactly the same, so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[NumbaJuan]

it will work just fine.

 

[beansbaxter]

Yep.

I always recommend to people, if your going to buy DDR ram for your older box, get the faster speeds. Not only will they work and are backwards compatible, but you wont have to upgrade your memory when you upgrade your mobo in the future.

 

[Peter]

The form factor is the same, and the timings won't be "wrong". The PCxxxx speed grade tells you the maximum speed. Minimum speed with DDR SDRAM is 83 MHz, so don't worry about running at PC1600 - this is 100 MHz.

 

[pookie69]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
The form factor of PC2100 and PC2700 is exactly the same, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Another dumb Q 🙂....

What's this "form factor" thing?

Thanks.

 

[Steve]

The DIMMs are the same size (dimensions), same number of pins, and notched in the same place.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

There is an exception, speed is always backward compatible, but the ram chips on the memory module are not backward compatible, old motherboard chipsets don't support newer bigger (memory amount) ram chips. Check the motherboard manual, or chipset spec, or use the memory selector from the memory manufacturer first.